IBM study shows UAE is leading a global shift in the appointment of Chief AI Officers – TahawulTech.com

The UAE has already demonstrated that it doesn’t want to be imitate when it comes to AI, but instead innovate and lead. A new global study conducted by IBM has shown that the UAE is once again setting the standard when it comes to the appointment of Chief AI Officers, which is designed to drive and execute enterprise-wide AI strategies.
According to the global study* of more than 600 CAIOs across 22 countries and 21 industries, more UAE organizations are appointing a CAIO role than global peers: 33% of surveyed organizations in UAE have a CAIO, compared to 26% globally.
The impact is clear: globally organizations with a CAIO see a 10% higher return on investment (ROI) on AI spend, and those where CAIOs drive a centralized or hub-and-spoke AI operating model can realize a 36% higher ROI on AI initiatives.
The report opens with a foreword by His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, where he writes: “AI is not a singular breakthrough, it’s ten thousand small shifts. It’s cultural. It’s institutional. It’s a habit. The CAIO will be the one pushing that habit forward – across public administration, healthcare, education and logistics. More than a technologist, the CAIO is a translator between vision and execution, a bridge between strategy and science, and a steward of value across the enterprise.”
The report also includes perspectives from other leading UAE entities such as Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Customs, providing a multi-sector view on AI leadership.
“Dubai’s early adoption of the Chief AI Officer role reflects our national commitment to a responsible, future-ready government,” said Saeed Al Falasi, Director of the Dubai Center for Artificial Intelligence. “This study reinforces that CAIOs are strategic enablers and catalysts that drive the city’s vision for the future. By empowering these leaders with the right tools, we are setting the stage for scalable, measurable AI impact across key sectors in Dubai.”
“The UAE is setting a global benchmark by embedding Chief AI Officers within organizations, ensuring AI is a strategic enabler across sectors. This is a testament to the nation’s foresight in shaping a future-ready economy.” said Shukri Eid, VP and GM, IBM Gulf, Levant and Pakistan. “As we continue our collaboration with the Dubai Future Foundation, IBM remains committed to helping organizations scale their AI capabilities to drive measurable, long-term impact.”
“By appointing CAIOs early and giving them visibility and budget control, UAE organizations have laid a strong foundation for enterprise AI,” said Lula Mohanty, Managing Partner, Middle East and Africa, IBM Consulting. “The next step is execution, moving beyond pilots, embedding AI into core business functions and delivering measurable ROI. IBM is proud to partner with UAE clients on this next phase of their AI journey.”
UAE CAIOs benefit from stronger leadership support
CAIOs in the UAE are more likely than their global peers to have direct backing from senior leadership:
CAIO roles in the UAE come with broader mandates and implementation responsibilities
UAE CAIOs are playing a central role in driving AI strategy and implementation:
Career backgrounds of UAE CAIOs reflect a focus on data and operations
UAE CAIOs bring a mix of technical and operational expertise to their roles:
AI measurement matters, but action won’t wait
UAE CAIOs recognize the value of measuring AI outcomes, while maintaining momentum by experimenting and innovating even without perfect metrics:
AI adoption maturity highlights room for growth
While UAE organizations have made significant leadership investments, many remain in early phases of AI deployment:
For more information and to access the full study, visit: https://www.ibm.com/thought-leadership/institute-business-value/en-us/report/chief-ai-officer
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